....May Day....

Nation observed the May Day on 1st May 2009 with due respect. Government, NGOs and labor unions and other organizations organized rally, seminar, cultural program and other events. The day was observed very colorfully and peacefully.

May 1st is a day of special significance for the labor movement. Its a day of worldwide solidarity. A time to remember past struggles and demonstrate our hope for a better future. A day to remember that an injury to one is an injury to all. But why Mayday? What is its history?

Over a century ago the American Federation of Labor adopted a historic resolution which asserted that "eight hours shall constitute a legal days labor from and after May 1st, 1886".

All across America in the months prior to this resolution, workers in their thousands were starting to struggle for a shorter week. Skilled and unskilled, men and women, black and white, immigrant and native were all fighting together.

Chicago was the main center of agitation. Over 300 000 workers came out on May 1st. It was here that Mayday was born.